Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been branded “a worry” after his shoddy performance in Manchester United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The match, which bordered on pantomime at times, ended 4-3 and while the goalkeepers will take most of the flak, some criticism must be reserved for Martinez.
The Argentinian’s limp clearance gifted Spurs their second goal within a minute of the restart, paving the way for a cascade of Tottenham pressure.
But for Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports after the game, the causes for concern run beyond a lapse in concentration tonight.
“I think a little bit of a worry for United fans is Lisandro Martinez,” he said. “I didn’t think he’d play well in a back four because he’s small, but he had a really good first season.”
Carragher was among the most vocal critics about the 26-year-old’s height as soon as he touched down at Old Trafford, but the combative defender quickly proved his doubters wrong.
After arriving from Ajax, he quickly set about making his mark on the United defence and was a reliable performer, fiery in the challenge and creative on the ball.
Things haven’t been as smooth for him this season, and while his poor form predates the arrival of Ruben Amorim and his 3-4-3 formation, Carragher suggested that the new system isn’t quite going to plan for the player.
“In some ways you’d think he’d be perfectly suited to a back three, he can step out on his left foot and he’s got two bigger players alongside him,” he said.
“But I don’t think he’s looked as comfortable since Amorim came in, when I actually thought this would be the making of him, so that’s a bit of a worry.”
Amorim has tinkered extensively with his lineups since taking the reins last month in a bid to find his best combinations, and has drawn on Martinez’s services in all but two matches.
The Butcher’s place in the starting XI seems safe for now, but with the likes of Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire easing back into the picture, and Matthijs de Ligt seemingly one of the first names on the team sheet, competition for places will only get tougher.
Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
